Watched Rent at the Duke of York theatre last night, and halfway through the show I just felt such immense disappointment with the entire production. Was hopeful that it'd pick up towards the end, which it did - a little - but at the end I just walked out feeling like they've just massacred the musical.
To be completely honest I haven't watched the original West End/Broadway version, and I only had the 2005 film with which to compare. But it isn't even contending with the film that made this "re-worked", "re-digitalised" version pale in comparison. On objective terms, it seemed like one-long MTV, or a mere school production - hard work acknowledged - or simply, a failed West End production that has lost a sense of what the actual musical meant, complete with acting that rendered a cipher the potential meaning and power of the musical. Oh yes, on another note, the director and music supervisor are the creative team behind Kylie. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to surmise the 'artistic' direction of this musical.
Denise van Outen and Jay Webb were probably the only characters that made it work... slightly. Angel (Jay Webb) wasn't a drag queen anymore though; he's been made into a campy electro-techno gay star. Despite the re-worked interpretation his performance and delivery were remarkable, and he seemed to be the only one who understood his character to present it with impeccable effort and finesse. Maureen (Denise van Outen) was sexy enough, and managed to get the audience engaged and moo-ing away with her famous jump-over-the-moon number. The others however were a complete letdown - Mark was overly-theatrical and hardly subtle enough; Mimi just wasn't attractive and was really awkward with body language and expressions as well; the relationships (Angel and Collins, Mimi and Roger, Maureen and Joanne) were utterly devoid of genuine feeling. Which, compared to the well-delivered and bittersweet tensions of the film, became just what it was - acting. A bad set too; too clean, too contemporary, too sleek and swanky for the streets and home(lessness) of bohemian artists.
To give it credit, some scenes were pretty good. The Tango Maureen was nicely done; Mimi's shooting up was delivered poignnatly and delicately with a quivering, breaking voice; La vie Boheme was riotous and fun. Other than these the rest were pretty forgettable, and drifted by like scenes from one long MTV medley.
Right, enough ranting (HA! PUN!). Because I'm critically insecure, I will include a link:
Michael Billington's own one-star review in The Guardian.
Will get over my disappointment and look forward to Martin Crimp's Rhinoceros next week. rarrr. >.<
